Many people are cold at home these days due to the high gas prices. Fortunately, there are community rooms where everyone can warm themselves. There are three in Assen.
Earthworms, jenga, aggravation, rummicub, who am I? All games are unused on the table in the community center room in the provincial house in Assen. Since the beginning of this year, a ‘warm room’ has also been set up for residents who no longer turn on heating at home. You can drink a cup of coffee, play a game or read a book. But the first visitor is yet to come.
Threshold too high
It was a great initiative by the province to open up the building, but according to Niesje Havinga-Meijer, corps officer of the Salvation Army in Assen, the threshold for many people to go to the provincial house is a bit high. However, the Army has two other addresses in Assen, in the DNK cultural center and at the Army itself on Rolderstraat, which also has a clothing store here.
Only at the latter address do residents of Assen use the warm room so far. “People don’t just come here for the heating, they also come for a nice chat,” says Havinga.
The warm room is open every Wednesday afternoon, says Els Hendriks, a member of the Salvation Army in Assen. But if people look for a warm place on other days, this is also possible. The clothing store is adjacent to the hall and is open almost every day. “People are always welcome to have a cup of coffee here.”
Difficulty paying
Research by Trendbureau Drenthe has shown that 23 percent of Drenthes have difficulty paying their energy bills. Only 25 percent of residents in Drenthe can easily pay their energy bill.
Havinga also notices this. And people are ashamed of this, she says. “They find it difficult to ask for help.” Personal attention is therefore very important to them. “When people go to their cold house, we give them blankets, sweaters or cardigans.” And if people can’t afford groceries, they get a free meal, she says.
Every Wednesday, around twenty people come to the warm room. Most people know each other by now, says Havinga. “We then make soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for everyone.” Most people talk to each other and others are sewing scarves, sweaters or rugs. And games? Havinga Meijer laughs. “There is a lot of chatter going on here.”